After our time in Livingstone came to an end (see part 2; The Tongabezi Experience), it is off to Zambia's famed Lower Zambezi valley, home to amazing wildlife and the Lower Zambezi National Park. Taking in some canoeing on the Zambezi River while staying at Sausage Tree Lodge and Old Mondoro.
Sausage Tree Camp is set in a stunning location on the banks of the Zambezi River, in the Lower Zambezi National Park. This is in the heart of the best game viewing area. The camp and very welcoming pool overlook many narrow channels teeming with game, offering the amazing Zambezi escarpment as the backdrop.
We enjoyed boat cruises, sundowners, day and night game drives, an early morning canoe amongst hippos and crocs, tiger fishing and even a surprise lunch in the Zambezi River.
Sausage Tree also offers walks with highly skilled and trained rangers. Elephants are seen in camp on a daily basis. Game viewing is excellent, with an extremely high chance of spotting wild dog, leopard, lion, hippo and buffalo, to name but a few, during your stay.
After returning from our morning canoe excursion on our first morning - hot and exhausted - we were told we would be "going out" for lunch. Obviously, we were all a bit dumb-struck, like where does one "go out" for lunch in the Lower Zambezi? So we all boarded our boat, and as we turned the first bend, we couldn't believe what we saw, a table, chairs, barbeque, drinks table and shaded thatch enclosure all set up IN the Zambezi River. The camp crew were all standing ankle-deep waiting for us, cocktails in hand. And so we sat ankle-deep in the Zambezi and enjoyed our delicious barbeque and cocktails. This was most definitely one of the highlights of my trip, one which I will remember forever!
Sausage Tree Camp is an ideal family-friendly as well as a Honeymoon destination; there is something here for everyone.
Old Mondoro; From Sausage Tree to Old Mondoro, it is an approx. A 45-minute boat ride, although that definitely depends on how many times you stop to take pictures!
Old Mondoro (the Shona word for lion is Mondoro and the name Old Mondoro derives from the local legend of an old, white lion that used to frequent the area) is one of the most intimate and private safari camps in the Lower Zambezi, offering only 8 beds.
On our afternoon arrival at the camp, we soon embarked on a game drive which quickly turned into a night drive after we had stopped on the banks to enjoy our sundowners. We were extremely lucky with our sightings, having spotted two young male lions, three porcupines (my first ever sighting), hippos running amok, buffalo, five genets, as well as a bushbaby which we were told was the first sighting in two seasons!
Other activities on offer include canoeing, game viewing by motorboat, tiger-fishing (catch and release), as well as bush walks - there are some excellent walking areas right from the camp, and I've been told this is the best walking area in the Lower Zambezi.
It is a very rustic camp - quite different from the likes of Sausage Tree where we had just come from - with no electricity (paraffin lamps bring the camp alive after dark), offering a fantastic "back to basics" experience. If you need your hairdryer, then perhaps this is not the camp for you.
The Lower Zambezi Experience by Uyaphi.com
- Old Mondoro
On the banks of the Zambezi River in the Lower Zambezi National Park some 35km downstream from Chiawa Camp this is a beautiful and remote site overlooking a maze of hippo-inhabited islands and channels.
Old Mondoro is the Lower Zambezi's most intimate and private safari camp.
- David Livingstone Safari Lodge
The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa on the Zambian banks of the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls, invites guests to step into pure natural luxury,
The hotel is a two-storey 77-roomed hotel overlooking the wilds of the Zambezi.
- Kafunta Three Rivers Camp
Kafunta Three Rivers Camp is located at the confluence of "three rivers", namely; the Luangwa, Kapamba and Lusangazi in South Luangwa region of Zambia.
A small and unique safari camp where wildlife and birdlife sightings and photography are the main attractions.
- Chongwe River Suites
Chongwe River Suites is the proud culmination of years of design and experience and is also the perfect marriage between Chongwe Camp and Chongwe House.
The two rooms share a lounge and dining area appointed with fine furniture and antiques that over look a private pool and the Zambezi.
- Stanley Safari Lodge
Stanley Safari Lodge is the exclusive oasis for explorers of this region.
From all the 10 cottages at Stanley's, one is able to see the distant views of the spray of the Victoria Falls drifting upwards towards the heavens.
- Kafunta Island Bush Camp
Kafunta Island Bush Camp, a rustic and authentic safari camp, awaits those seeking to escape the modern world whilst experiencing some of the best wildlife Africa offers.
Island Bush Camp is all about that South Luangwa walking safari experience.
